On September 22-25, 2014, in Katowice, the capital of the Upper Silesia, the biggest European event for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises will take place. The organizer of the event is the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice. Small and medium-size entrepreneurship is the most important sector of the Polish economy. It is also the main subject of the European Congress of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises. Challenges and possibilities of development of small and medium-size enterprises will be discussed by the most significant personalities in Poland, representatives of science, politics and economy, as well as numerous foreign delegations. This will be the fourth edition of the meeting. Participation in the Congress is free of charge. Registration at: www.kongresmsp.eu A platform of a dialog The Congress is a perfect platform for discussion for the representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the representatives of the world of science and business environment institutions, local government, politics and national authorities. Three previous editions of the Congress gathered na numerous group of them. The III European Congress of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises, which took place on 16th – 18th September in Katowice, included 56 events, hosted 190 experts, 170 foreign guests from 35 countries and altogether above 3500 participants. Altogether 136 pannel discussions were organized during previous editions of the congress, in which over 540 speakers from Poland and abroad took part. The numer of participants exceeded 9000. 25 discussion pannels are planned for the fourth edition of the Congress, with over 130 Polish and foreign experts. The organizers estimate that 3000 participants will take part in the program. The post-crisis challenges that stand before European and Polish (including Silesian) companies will be discussed during the fourth edition of the European Congress of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises in Katowice. The co-operating partners of the Congress are Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, Ministry of Economy and Polish Chamber of Commerce. The Congress received the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Bronisław Komorowski, the Patronage of Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission and the Honorary Patronage of the European Parliament. The Chairman of the Honorary Committee of the Congres is Mr. Jezry Buzek, former Polish Prime Minister (1997-2001), Member of European Parliament. The co-organizer of the Congress is the City of Katowice and the Silesian Voivodship. Tadeusz Donocik, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice said: „The fact, that this year will see the fourth edition of the European Congress for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises, proves that the event organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice fills an existing niche. Small and medium entrepreneurs should be noticed and appreciated. The Congress is where they are given a chance to speak for themselves, and the eyes of the whole Europe turn to them. Since the Congress’ inception we strive to discuss the current problems of entrepreneurs. The previous editions have gathered a large group of experts who shared their knowledge and experience. We worked out solutions and formulas for small and medium enterprises, but much remains to be done. Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy said: „It was a pleasure to assume honorary patronage of the IV European Congress of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice. Small and medium companies play a special role in the economy, building GDP growth and providing employment. Creating favourable conditions for the development of micro, small and medium-size enterprises is essential to building the competitive future of Europe and ensuring strong and long-term sustainable economic growth. I am glad that together, we can support entrepreneurs effectively, improving their chances of competing on both home and foreign market.” Andrzej Arendarski, President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce said: The strength of world economies is determined not only by big corporations, but also by small and medium enterprises, which generate most of the GDP, provide more than 90% of new jobs and are fundamental to the stable growth of the middle class. 1989 was a turning point for the SME activity in Poland. After over 20 years of operating in a free market environment, we can observe how significant of a role do the SME play in the forming of a new economic order. The European Congress of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises in Katowice is a perfect occasion to reflect on those matters. Jerzy Buzek, Member of the European Parliament comments: The economic strength of Europe is build upon small and medium enterprises. Nearly 70% of employees find themselves working for supposedly minor businesses. In the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2014-20, 2,3 billion Euros will be allocated to supporting those companies. It is important, because while small and medium enterprises have coped fairly well with the crisis, they now have to face economic stagnation. Piotr Uszok, President of Katowice invites to the Congress: „On September 22-25, 2014, the City of Katowice will once again become the arena for the debate on the biggest economic challenges for Poland and Europe. Thanks to the organisers of the European Congress of SME’s, entrepreneurs, politicians, self-government officials and representatives of the world of culture will visit the capital of the region to talk about the most important problems that SME face. SME constitute not only the most numerous group among companies in Poland, but also the employers of more than 60% of Polish employees. It is worth bearing in mind that those enterprises generate almost half of Poland’s GDP and their activity has markedly helped to maintain the stability of Polish economy. That is why credit needs to be given to the organisers of the Congress, who took on the difficult task of organising a debate which results are directed at actions that assist entrepreneurs. In the current tense geo-political climate, a discussion that deals with problems and ways of supporting the SME sector only gains in significance. Therefore, while encouraging everyone to take part in the Congress, I would also like to wish for all of the Congress’ participants to have a fruitful debate and to establish many new relationships with potential trade partners.” Accompanying events IV European Congress of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises will be accompanied by BIZNES EXPO – Fair for Services and Products for SMEs www.targibiznesexpo.pl). The aim of the exhibition is to bring closer the issues connected with optimalization of investments and increase of profits. Annother accompanying event is the Program „Self-Government Supports SMEs”, the objective of which is promotion of local governments which suport small and medium-sized development by creating favourable economic conditions for their business activity. Source: Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, www.kongresmsp.eu